UPDATE: Shelter Opened at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church for 37 Fire Victims

According to Jerry Vanderwier of the Red Cross, the victims – many of whom speak only Spanish – are currently being cared for by volunteers. When we dropped by the shelter Tuesday morning, we saw many sitting around tables, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. Vanderwier promises to let us know if anything is needed, but for now if you’d like to help the best way is to donate directly to the American Red Cross here. On that page choose to make a donation to support the Seattle local chapter, the Disaster Relief Fund or Where the Need is Greatest.

PREVIOUSLY: The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for at least 88 victims of Monday’s Tra-Lee Apartment fire at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, located at 15003 14th Ave SW.

As we previously reported, late Monday afternoon a fire destroyed several units at an apartment complex and displaced 24 units located at SW 124th Street and Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien.

In the coming days, the Red Cross will provide shelter, food, and other emergency relief to affected residents – 88 of them on Monday night, according to church Pastor Tobin Wilson. Many of our longtime Readers may recall that during previous emergencies that Wilson’s church has stepped up to help (read about previous events here, including a fatal apartment fire in July, 2008.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian agency dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. All disaster assistance is free, made possible by the voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.